I love all the designs Twin Six has done for the Fat Cyclist jersey. I really do. I love them all just the same.

I don’t love this new jersey any more than any of the other designs. Even though the primarily black jersey is almost unbearably cool. Or that the Clydesdale silhouette on the back makes me start singing Johnny Cash every time I see it. Or that every single one of them has the "WIN" mark, in pink, big and bold on the right sleeve, and the "Team Fatty Fighting for Susan" in the collar.

Last year, we didn’t do a Fat Cyclist jersey pre-order. We just ordered a bunch, and then when they came in, we put them on sale.

They sold out almost instantly. A lot of people had a hard time getting the jersey size / gender combo they wanted.

This time, I don’t want that to happen.

So, for this week only — July 14 through July 20 — you can pre-order your jersey, ensuring you get exactly the right size / gender combo you want.

On July 21st, the Twin Six guys will place the order. Sure, they’ll order some extras, but I wouldn’t count on getting one of those.

And then, you and I can sit back and wait for our jerseys to arrive in early November. This will be your most awesome Fall-weather jersey ever. And I daresay it will be your most awesome Spring and Summer jersey, too.

Oh, and the jerseys will come in plenty of time for you to give them as Christmas gifts, for those of you who actually think that far ahead (Susan usually has Christmas gifts planned out for the whole family by April; I tend to start thinking about Christmas gifts just in time to fly into a panic).

DetailsHere are the answers to some of the questions I’ve been getting about these jerseys.

Cost: The jerseys will cost $US70.00 during this pre-order event. The price will go up for people who buy jerseys after they arrive. Note: even though your jersey will be shipped when it arrives this autumn, you will be charged for the jersey when you place the order.

Sizing: For men, the jerseys fit about like a similarly-sized t-shirt, but a little snugger. If a Large t-shirt fits you tight, for example, you may want to go with an XL jersey. For women, plan to buy the same size jersey as you would a women’s t-shirt.

International Availability: You can buy jerseys outside the US, but of course you’re going to have to pay a little extra in shipping. That shouldn’t hurt your feelings too badly, though, since the weak dollar currently makes buying anything from the US the deal of the century.

Accessories: Yes, we’re looking into bike clothing that goes with this jersey. We haven’t locked any of that down yet, but of course as soon as we get even remotely close, I’ll note it on the blog.

201: The "201" on the left sleeve goes with the Fat Cyclist Clydesdale logo. Since 200 pounds is the traditional threshold for being in the Clydesdale category, this jersey goes to 201.

Inside the Collar: The text inside the collar reads "Team Fatty Fighting for Susan." This is in support of my wife, who’s fighting metastatic breast cancer (and who is starting three weeks of radiation on her right hip today, by the way). When you buy a jersey, you’re contributing to Susan’s "WIN" fund, which I use to pay medical bills and do fun stuff with Susan and the kids. So you’re not just looking awesome; you’re actually doing something philanthropic. That’s just your way.

As Long As You’re Ordering…I want to point out that Twin Six really goes out of its way for me when it does the Fat Cyclist jerseys. For one thing, they are really cool about honoring my input into the design process. For another thing, they have basically put their other projects on hold while they prioritized my jersey design. And for the final thing, doing this pre-order thing is kind of a pain for them, but they’re doing it anyway because I asked them to.

So, if I may, I’d like to recommend you support their business. It’s easy. When you buy your Fat Cyclist jersey, look around their site at the other Twin Six jerseys and T-shirts. If you see something you like, add it to your order.

By the way, the other stuff you order will be shipped right away — Twin Six isn’t going to make you wait for the rest of your order ’til my jerseys arrive.

PS: Since my wipeout on Wednesday, I haven’t been on a bike at all. I’ve decided that, this evening, if I’m strong enough to put the new tire my road bike needs on, I’m strong enough to ride tomorrow. On the road, on the flats where I don’t ever have to stand up and pull on the handlebars.

PPS: I’ve started using Twitter, just to see if I like it. Basically it’s a place where I can leave random one-sentence thoughts. Click here to read it. If I decide I like it, I’ll incorporate it into my blog sidebar. Let me know what you think.

Wicked cool jersey–I’ll def be sporting one down here during the winter but I might have to put it aside for the white jersey in the summer since it’s like 800 degrees here from May to August. So,when you coming out with a white version?

Got mine ordered this morning, I will have a hard time waiting for it to arrive this fall. I was lucky enough to get a 2008 and now have my 2009 on order. I am (and will remain) the best outfitted rider in my group. Thanks to Fatty and Twin Six for the great design(s).

Ordered mine, I am looking forward to finally being able to wear one. My last jersey was the wrong size jersey in the plastic bag. It now serves as a stunning piece of art on the wall of my bike building. This version is bangin’.

Clearly, you are to be on a racing team as the Lieutenant – The guy that gets the team leader to the top of the decisive ferocious climb – in ‘gonzo’ style. Then you can slack off on the descent – Let that sucker stick a wheel and catapult his shoulder, while you gingerly go down and preserve yours.

YMMV on the veracity of prophesies generated by this random MTB name generator.

I just ordered one for myself and one for my wife as well. The new design is beyond cool. Now I have to try to forget about them until they arrive in November…it’ll be almost like getting “free” surprise.

Love the jerseys, but what about the “other” things that you mentioned? Arm warmers? CYCLING CAPS (hint, hint), or whatever else? When might I see, say, a solid pink cycling cap with a black stripe that maybe says “WIN” under the cap where others can read it when I flip it up? With–again, just a suggestion–”Team Fatty fighting for Susan” on the inside seam? No pressure. Just tell me when T6 is making it.

Ordering up one of the jersey’s shortly. Thanks for the pre-order option! Really wanted this years, but the all black is pretty sexy(and thinning). Hope your ride goes well today, thinking of you and your family daily.

WIN SUSAN

JWBIKES: If that FC jersey on the wall is XL…do a guy a favor and sell it to me.

That new jersey rocks. Will be ordering mine before the week is out (Just a suggestion for next time you do a pre-order thing; could you leave it until closer to payday? I’m still paying a hospital bill…) looking forward to seeing what else you and the Twin Six guys come up with!

Twitter. I’ve always been slightly ‘meh’ about it but now (thanks, Fatty) I’ve signed up. It’s got a week to impress me. We’ll see how it goes. If you start uploading recipes of the day though, that might persuade me to stick with it :-D

Good luck with the radiation today Susan – Fatty take care of that arm!

It’s part of my effort to raise funds for cancer research. My dad was treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute just like Susan. It’s truly a remarkable place and any donations you make will work miracles — small, big or otherwise.

I would love to order one, as I would love to order other twin six products, but they don’t cater to the 6′8″ guys. I sent them an email a while back asking if their jerseys would fit, as they all look fantastic. Fatty, you should try to encourage them to make some jerseys for the tall cyclists. The tall guys need love as much as the ‘fat’ ones. ;)

I recently ordered another Twin Six jersey, the Queen of the Mountain one, and I must say, I think I’m a better climber now when I wear it. It really works. So I’m really counting on this jersey making me wittier and generally more awesome. I just picked up a new pair of gloves, and after getting them home I realized that they will match this jersey perfectly.

One thought: Pink arm warmers. I love the jersey, but I do like to have a bit of color to tip off to car drivers that I’m there, and please don’t hit me.

Thumbs up on twitter (I am dmv) and the jersey is great. Wasn’t thrilled with the 2008 FC design, but like the 2009 almost as much as my pink one. I’ve already accidentally-on-purpose introduced Twin Six gear to a couple of local bike shops, because the jerseys are that good and the t-shirts are both all-weekend appropriate and comfortable.

aussie kev, Maryborough??? If you’re talking about Queensland please introduce yourself to the 5′8″ guy with a shaved head at the September Maryborough Masters Games, or at the Marykhana in November. If you’re talking Victoria, I’m sorry to hear that.

Any chance you could convince Twin Six to make more of their jerseys available online? The LBS’s in rural Ohio aren’t dealers; Twin Six loot is impossible to get (and I’d buy 2 or 3 of the designs if I could get them).